Charles w



G. W. HENSON.

(No Model.)

. LOCK.

N6. 556,629. Patented Mar. 17, 1896.

INVENTO/f 6'. Wflrz/sarz ATTORNEYS ll ms? NITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES V. HENSON, OF BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA.

LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 556,629, dated March 17, 1896.

Application filed August 20,1895- Serial No. 559,955. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

residing at Bienville, in the parish of Bienville and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and Improved Look, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to improvements in mail-pouch looks, and it primarily has for its object to provide a lock of this character of a simple and inexpensive nature, which can be easily manipulated and which will effectively serve for its intended purposes.

The invention also has for its object to,provide a mail-pouch lock adapted to always remain fastened to the mail-pouch and which is practically dirt-proof with or without the destination-plate attached.

lVith other minor objects inview, which hereinafter will be referred to, my invention consists in the peculiar combination and novel arrangement of parts forming the lock, first described in detail and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View illustrating my improved look as applied for use. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the lock with the destination or name plate removed. Fig. 3 is a face view of the lock with the outer plate removed to the more clearly illustrate the interior construction. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view of the name-plate removed, and Fig. 6 is a view of the key.

My improved locking mechanism comprises a lock-chamber formed by the base-plate A, which is of substantially the shape shown in Fig. 3, which has edge or side portions a a, having members a a, which are adapted to be placed and riveted in position after the internal locking devices have been set in position.

One end of the base-plate has an aperture B, whereby it is permanently hung to the staple O of the mail-bag and is thereby always held in place, it also having at the opposite end a slotway D to fit over the lock-staple E of the mailbag, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The keyhole of the lock-chamber is normally held closed by the name or destination plate F, which is shown in detail in Fig. 5 Be it known that I, CHARLES W. HENSON,

and which has at one end hook members ff, which are adapted to enter recesses a in the base-plate A, such plate E having at the op posite end a suitable spring-latch to engage and lock with the front edge a of the lockeasing, as clearly understood from the drawmgs. V

\Vithin the lock-chamber are disposed a pair of spring-arms G G, the ends of which diverge atg g, which are pivotally held on a pin H common to both arms and which have their front ends extended transversely and forwardly, as at g g, to form lock-fingers, the front ends 9 g of which are so bent and held to lap as to normally project into the lockstaple E, as clearly shown, the said lock members being held to their normal position by the coil-sprin g H, which connects the diverging legs or rear portions of the said lock-arms.

I J indicate stop-pins which limit the move ment of the said arms G.

K indicates the top plate of the casing, which has a keyhole It ata point over the front end of the parallel extensions or portions g of the arms G and over a guide or key pin g disposed at such point.

L indicates the key, which may be of any ordinary construction-such, for example, as shown in Fig. 6.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the advantages and operation of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

It will be observed the lock is practically dirt-proof, as the only chance for dirt to enter the casing is through the keyhole, which is normally held closed by the name-plate F. Furthermore, by making the lock key-operated the same will always remain fastened to the mail-pouch and ready to be placed in a locked position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a mail-bag lock, the combination, with a casing adapted to be secured at one end to the mail-bag, and having a slotway near the opposite end, a pair of locking-arms pivoted within the case upon a common axis the for-' ward ends or jaws being curved as described and overlapping, the spring connecting the rear ends of said arms, and a key adapted to be projected between the jaws, between the pivot and forward ends for the purposes of spreading said jaws substantially as shown and described.

2. In a mail-baglock, the combination, with the case constructed as described of the locking-arms pivoted upon a common axis, the coiled spring connecting the rear ends of the arms and the stop-pins I and J, upon opposite sides of the forward ends substantially as shown and described.

3. A look for the purpose described, comprising a casing having means at one end for securing it to the mail-bag, and a slotway at the other arranged to fit over the lock-staple of the bag, a pair of arms pivoted on a common axis having their front end formed with looking jaws or members held to project over said slotway, spring devices connected with such arms to normally close the front ends toward each other, a top plate for the casing having a key-slot at a point in advance of the pivot of the lock-arms and a key adapted to be projected through the key-slot adapted to enter between and separate the said front ends of the lock-arms as set forth.

4. As an improvement in mail-bag locks, the combination with the casing having a key-released locking means adapted to secure the lock to the lock-staple, said locking means being automatically moved to a locked position, said casing having a key-slot in the upper face, of a name or indicator plate adapted to be detachably held on the casing, close upon the key-slot or upper face, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

5. In a mail-bag lock, substantially as described, the combination with the casing A having at one end seats or recesses (1 of the nameplate F having hook members f at one end adapted to extend under and engage such recesses and a spring-latch at the opposite end adapted to engage the adjacent end of the casing A, as shown and described.

6. The hereinbefore-described lock, comprising a casing having means at one end for permanently securing it to'the mail-bag, a slotway in the base-plate adapted to fit over the lock-staple of the bag, and a key-slot on the upper plate, a pair of spring-closed loclearms pivoted in the casing having their lock ends normally swung across the staple-slotway, a key guide or pin projected up between the said arms, and a name-plate having hook members at one end to connect With the easing at one end and a latch to engage with such casing at the other end all arranged sulr stantially as shown and described.

O. V. IIENSON. lVitnesses:

O. O. IIANNER, J. A. IIENSON. 

